How to Hang Curtains: A Full Guide From the Experts

You don’t need to know how to hang curtains to get excellent results. All you need are custom-made curtains, designed and crafted by artisans specifically for your windows and space, and expert curtain installation.

You can talk to us at SkiptonWall if you want perfectly designed and hung curtains. We offer end-to-end luxury curtain design, tailoring, engineering, and installation services in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Our team certainly knows how to hang a curtain properly, no matter how challenging the space. In fact, luxury hotels and resorts rely on us to dress their windows and walls.

Every project begins with a professional design consultation and precise site measurements. Our artisans then make the curtains from scratch, under strict quality control guidelines, using the specific measurements and agreed-upon fabrics and materials.

Once the curtains are finished, our expert team will install them in your home, office, or place of business. They know how to hang a curtain, length rules, and other best practices for curtain installation, so you can be certain your curtain will look and function exactly as planned.

Below are some general guidelines we follow when hanging curtains for clients. Of course, since we tailor curtains to specific measurements and interiors, we may change our general process to suit project requirements.

Key Takeaways

• Position curtain rods or tracks at least four to six inches above the window frame; curtain rods and tracks should also be longer than the width of the window.

• Choose your installation method based on your needs; drilling brackets is best for secure, heavy-duty support.

• Invest in professional design and custom tailoring to ensure your curtains are measured perfectly, hang at the ideal length, and function smoothly without issues.

Table of Contents

• How High Should Curtains Be Hung?
• How Wide Should Curtain Rods Be?
• Ways to Hang Curtain Rods
• How to Hang a Curtain Without Drilling
• How to Hang Curtain Clips (and How to Hang a Curtain With Clips)
• How to Hang a Curtain on Track Gliders
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Elevate Your Space With Professionally Installed Curtains

How High Should Curtains Be Hung?

When hanging a curtain, length rules typically dictate hanging it at least four to six inches above your window frame. However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule. Curtains could be hung much farther up, up to the ceiling (behind a curtain cove or a cornice) in the case of full-height or floor-to-ceiling drapes. 

Note: This is why custom tailoring is important. It’s a foolproof way to make sure your curtains will be as long as you need them, so they can hang from an optimal height and still provide the coverage your windows and space need.

For instance, if you get the SkiptonWall end-to-end curtain design-to-installation solution, we will precisely measure curtain size by determining where to hang the curtain rod above the window and where to hang the curtain brackets for the best impact.

Consequently, our in-house factory can tailor your curtain to the exact length and width that your space requires.

How Wide Should Curtain Rods Be?

Add around 12 to 20 inches to the width of your window. That will let your curtain rod extend at least six inches past each side of the window frame.

Remember, however, that a more accurate way of determining how long your curtain rod pole should be is to measure how wide the curtains are when fully gathered to the side. Add at least that much, plus another maybe six inches; that’s how much your curtain rod should ideally extend past the side of the window frame.

In truth, your curtain rod can be as long as you want. If you want to cover the entire wall with curtains, the rod will naturally span the entire width of the wall.

Note: You want a curtain rod that is wider than your windows. This way, when you open your curtains fully and gather them to the sides, they can be fully out of the way of your windows and won’t obscure the light and ventilation that your windows provide.

Ways to Hang Curtain Rods

One of the best ways to hang curtain rods is to mount them on curtain rod brackets. As discussed above, you want to install these rod brackets on the wall above and several inches to the side of the window frame so the rod can be placed higher and the curtain can be wider than the window.

Note: Our team knows how to hang curtain rod brackets properly and according to the requirements of your made-to-order curtains. For the best results, consider our end-to-end custom curtain design, manufacturing, and installation services.

How to Hang a Curtain Without Drilling

Installing curtain rod brackets typically requires drilling guide holes into the wall, positioning a bracket on top of a hole, inserting the screw or fastener, and tightening it with a screwdriver or a drill driver to secure the bracket.

However, there are no-drill alternatives to hanging curtain rods, which are useful if you are renting (which may mean you can’t drill holes into walls). These no-drill alternatives include:

• Tension rods: Tension rods go inside the window frame. Use a tension rod that is longer than the width of the window. Hang the curtain on it, place it at the top inside the window frame, and then keep twisting it until the ends are firmly wedged against the frame.

• Tap brackets: Tap brackets are curtain rod brackets with a pin that can go into a window’s wooden trim. Position it above an outside corner of the window frame and tap on it with a hammer to lodge the pin into the trim.

• Adhesive brackets: Some brackets use adhesive to attach to the wall. Just make sure the wall is clean before you attempt to attach the bracket; dirt and dust will prevent full adhesion.

• Magnetic rods: Magnetic rods can work if you have metal window frames. Install the rod inside the window frame; the magnet will keep it (and the curtain) in place.

Note: The above no-drill alternatives will not give you the same results as curtain rods and tracks drilled precisely in place by expert curtain installers. All of them, except the adhesive brackets, put curtains either inside the window frame or barely a few centimeters above and to the side of it. Adhesive brackets, meanwhile, can’t carry heavy drapery.

How to Hang Curtain Clips (and How to Hang a Curtain With Clips)

To use curtain clips to hang a curtain, attach the curtain clips to the top edge or the back tabs of the curtain panel. It’s important that the clips are from four to six inches apart. Make sure they’re evenly spaced.

Once the curtain is fully clipped, slide the curtain rod through the curtain rings attached to the clips and secure the rod into its brackets.

Note: If you use eyelet or ringed curtains, you won’t need curtain clips to hang your curtains on a rod. 

How to Hang a Curtain on Track Gliders

A curtain track or track glider is an alternative to a curtain rod. It’s particularly appropriate for hanging a pencil pleat curtain.

Track gliders have tiny rings on them that smoothly glide and slide over the track. To attach your curtain to these rings, you will need to affix matching clip hooks to your curtains.

To do this, insert clip hooks into the tape at the back of the curtain’s top panel. Make sure the clip hooks are evenly spaced. Once that’s done, attach the clip hooks (one at a time) to the track glider’s rings.

Note: Get a team of expert curtain installers who know how to hang curtains with hooks if you’re going with a track glider system. Precision will ensure a polished outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should curtains touch the floor?

No, curtains don’t necessarily have to touch the floor. Curtains that fall just shy of the floor look extravagant and elegant. Curtains can also fall just below the window sill. However, if you want drama and romance, you can let curtains fall into a puddle on the floor, and that’s okay, too.

How far should curtain rods extend past the window?

The general guideline is to let curtain rods extend six to 10 inches past each side of the window. This will give you enough space beside the window for gathering your curtains so they will be completely off the window and, thus, maximize the amount of natural light that can come in.

How do I hang heavy curtains securely?

To hang heavy curtains securely, it’s best to use a curtain rod or a curtain track that has been affixed securely to the wall using brackets. For best results, make sure the brackets are drilled into the wall. Additionally, add more brackets to secure longer rods and tracks.

How do I stop curtain rods from sagging?

To stop curtain rods from sagging, pick a sturdy rod designed to carry the weight of your chosen fabric. You need a heavy-duty rod, especially if you’re opting for full-height drapes made of velvet, chenille, damask, or heavy jacquard. Adding more brackets can also help prevent sagging.

You also need to work with the right people. Since we offer an end-to-end, design-to-installation solution at SkiptonWall, you can rest assured your curtain rods won’t sag. Your curtains will be made to order, and we’ll naturally install them using the appropriate hardware.

What is the best height for curtain rods?

The best height for curtain rods depends on your vision. The general rule is to install a curtain rod at least four to six inches above the top edge of the window frame. However, if you want full-height drapes, the rod may be installed much higher, all the way to the recessed ceiling.

How many curtain panels do I need?

The number of curtain panels you need depends on how wide your window is or how wide you want your window to appear. It also partly depends on the look you’re aiming for, as adding more panels than necessary allows curtains to look more gathered and pleated even when fully drawn and, thus, more elegant.

Elevate Your Space With Professionally Installed Curtains

Dressing your windows requires attention to detail. You need to know how to choose curtain fabric and type. Your choice of fabric and curtain type, appropriately positioning curtain rods at the ideal height and width, and selecting the right installation method are choices that directly impact how well your curtains function and complement your interior design.

The above general guidelines will provide you with a great starting point, but the most polished and reliable results come from a personalized design, made-to-order tailoring, and expert installation from a professional team that knows how to hang curtains properly so they look and function the way you envisioned. Get in touch with the experts at SkiptonWall to schedule a free consultation.